Tony Abbott is being good in this campaign, certainly so far, even to the point of praising the government’s superannuation changes when, as prime minister, he was totally opposed to any reform. But his…

One only has to know Malcolm Turnbull’s nature to understand his deep frustration at the government’s internal dissent.
Ben MacMahon/AAPMarch 8, 2016

The momentum for a July 2 double dissolution has accelerated with Malcolm Turnbull opening the way to bring the May 10 budget forward by a week. “The budget will be in May,” he said on Tuesday, as he prepared…

Tony Abbott’s psychological dependence on Peta Credlin was built on gratitude and loyalty but went way beyond.
Lukas Coch/AAPMarch 7, 2016

It is hard to imagine the emotions of Tony Abbott or Peta Credlin as they read journalist Niki Savva’s indictment, in The Road to Ruin, of the former prime minister’s pig-headedness and his former chief-of-staff’s…

Tony Abbott’s anger and distress at losing the prime ministership is clear through a calm veneer.
Sam Mooy/AAPSeptember 29, 2015

The pain in politics is not pretty. Most leaders relish imposing it on adversaries. But then, when they come to bad ends, as they often do, they bleed and vent. Tony Abbott’s anger and distress is clear…

Peta Credlin did not seem to accept any responsibility for the demise of her leader despite taking much credit for getting him into office.
Paul Miller/AAPSeptember 23, 2015

Peta Credlin, former chief of staff to the former prime minister, has remained high-profile and defiant to the end. Despite her changed circumstances Credlin went ahead with a panel discussion at Tuesday’s…

As ministers jostle ahead of Malcolm Turnbull’s reshuffle for survival or advancement, attention is also on the future of Liberal Party federal director Brian Loughnane. Loughnane is husband of Peta Credlin…

Tony Abbott’s leadership is now so fragile that he seems nearly beyond being able to rebalance himself. Abbott is the victim of leaks and general destabilisation, and the continued miscalculations by himself…

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been unable to turn his fortunes around this week.
AAP/Mick TsikasFebruary 12, 2015

If, as Tony Abbott declared, good government started on Monday then, to borrow a Gillardism, it “lost its way” well before the week’s end. The days after Abbott’s “near death” experience provided no evidence…

Tony Abbott’s right-hand woman Peta Credlin is in an invidious position. Not only are many Coalition figures wanting her removed, but now Rupert Murdoch says it’s her “patriotic duty” to fall on her sword…

After getting a serious bollocking from Ray Hadley on Thursday, Tony Abbott told the Sydney shock jock that he’s determined to be “a better prime minister with a better government and a more effective…

Treasurer Joe Hockey has sought to make a virtue of what will be a substantial worsening of the projected deficits.
AAP/Lukas CochDecember 14, 2014

Some barnacles are not, it seems, able to be removed – certainly not in time for Christmas. As the political year grinds to its end, the Prime Minister’s Office is under almost as much attack as that of…

University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker and Michelle Grattan discuss the week in politics including the tension between Julie Bishop and Peta Credlin, the GP co-payment changes and Prime…

Senior ministers have had objections about the centralisation and control by Peta Credlin in the prime minister’s office.
AAP/Lukas CochDecember 11, 2014

Julie Bishop and Peta Credlin had one significant parallel experience on the way to government. They both survived three Liberal leaders. Bishop was deputy to Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull and Tony…